Beholden

Beholden is an interdisciplinary text that respects the complexity of religious traditions and the goals of public policy. As such, the text is suitable for courses in public health, bioethics, religious ethics, and seminary and medical school curricula. --Religious Studies Review Susan Holden's work intersects the fields of religion and health [Holman's] short collection of essays and narratives explore the positive and negative relations of the two as regards assistance provided by the rich to the poor The stories invite consideration of conflicting ethics and ideals usually inherent in such efforts, particularly those of faith-based organizations. --Journal of Religion and Health Susan R. Holman...provides valuable narrative, analysis, and information that can...open the eyes of religious leaders about helpful, sustainable, and respectful ways to approach health-related needs throughout the world. --Sojourners Beholden is a rich tapestry of stories deftly woven into a textured examination of religious faith and global health work. The meanings we give to charity, justice, human rights, obligations, and respect--and their material effects--come alive in threads plaited across time and place. Beholden invites us to deepen the moral integrity of global health relations; it should be read by all who care to do so. --Charlene A. Galarneau, Assistant Professor, Women's and Gender Studies Department, Wellesley College Susan Holman gives us what we need so urgently--a recovery of the relationship between public health and public faith, between the local and the global. Beholden is a work for our time, filled with rich and experiential insights for the flourishing and healing of our world. --Mark R. Gornik, Director, City Seminary of New York Susan Holman weaves theology, history, ethics, and her own fascinating pilgrimage as a public health specialist and scholar of religion to produce a book that is a swirling, sumptuous tapestry. Not only a feast of vivid prose, Beholden is an unmatched account of why the often separate worlds of religion, health, and human rights need each other--urgently--at a time of desperate crises and grave inequities in global public health. --Timothy Samuel Shah, Associate Director of the Religious Freedom Project, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University This slim volume has chapter notes, bibliography and index as befits its scholarly origin. Those in the world of faith-based NGOs with health components will find this book of interest. --Journal of Religion & Health The major strength of this book is that it approaches a topic that is often untouched in global health care efforts: the interplay of religion with global health issues. Holman's work is important for academics serious about religious dialogue in global health. The book could be a useful text for graduate students keen to learn more about the roles of religion and human rights in the global health context. Even for the non-specialist, Beholden is within reach and may well be of interest. It would be beneficial reading for both religious and non-religious groups in order to engage one another in meaningful dialogue toward the goal of integrated multidisciplinary efforts for global health. --Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved